Приключения Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb
"Perhapsyouhadbetternotspeakofthematter.Itisevidentlytryingtoyournerves."
"Oh,no,notnow. Ishallhavetotellmytaletothepolice; but,betweenourselves,ifitwerenotfortheconvincingevidenceofthiswoundofmine,Ishouldbesurprisediftheybelievedmystatement,foritisaveryextraordinaryone,andIhavenotmuchinthewayofproofwithwhichtobackitup; and,eveniftheybelieveme,theclueswhichIcangivethemaresovaguethatitisaquestionwhetherjusticewillbedone."
"Ha!"criedI,"ifitisanythinginthenatureofaproblemwhichyoudesiretoseesolved,Ishouldstronglyrecommendyoutocometomyfriend,Mr.SherlockHolmes,beforeyougototheofficialpolice."
"Oh,Ihaveheardofthatfellow,"answeredmyvisitor,"andIshouldbeverygladifhewouldtakethematterup,thoughofcourseImustusetheofficialpoliceaswell. Wouldyougivemeanintroductiontohim?"
"I’lldobetter.I’lltakeyouroundtohimmyself."
"Ishouldbeimmenselyobligedtoyou."
"We’llcallacabandgotogether. Weshalljustbeintimetohavealittlebreakfastwithhim. Doyoufeelequaltoit?"
"Yes;IshallnotfeeleasyuntilIhavetoldmystory."
"Thenmyservantwillcallacab,andIshallbewithyouinaninstant." Irushedupstairs,explainedthemattershortlytomywife,andinfiveminuteswasinsideahansom,drivingwithmynewacquaintancetoBakerStreet.
